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Review: Ask for a Fish by Ron Haas

I am taking this week to share my {comical} insight into books I have read on faith based fundraising. The next book in my series is: Ask
for a Fish by: Ron Haas

The title and introduction reminded
me of the little boy at conference who asked a donor for money for “this
project”, and the time that the donor took to educate the boy on how to ask for
what he wanted using “specific” details. My notes all over this was BE
SPECIFIC, and Webster defines specific as clearly defined; and precise detail. People
want to know where their money is going; I know when I have been approached
about Compassion kids, I wanted a lay out of how the funds were being
allocated- not because I didn’t trust them but because I was truly interested.
Which is what the donor buy in principle is about: you want more than a donor,
you want someone to care.

{PRAY} “If we ask our heavenly
Father for our (personal) daily bread as individuals, then as an organization
why not pray that he would give us our daily budget. I know you believe in
prayer, but are you bold?” I think about church budgeting and realize that when
I have gone in to look at one or vote on one or complain about one I have never
spent a minute in prayer about it- and I would bet that others who do the same
are the same and lift our voices in fear to the church secretary before lifting
them to Christ. “Pray as though
everything depended on God.

Work
as though everything depended on you.”

The
reminder of the man who requested late: I don’t know if I had spent much time
thinking about what that parable alluded to before this book. I recognize now
that giving isn’t a in a perfect time or place scenario, it’s a God time and
God place written in stone. If that means we have a need on Christmas at 3:00
AM then ASKING IS KEY! And the
reality of it is that giving and asking is a whole family ordeal.

{Give}
Talk is cheap: “Put your money where your heart is” I think people just want to
say NO to all requests made for money, instead of evaluating what they would
like to support and say yes to the right thing. Margaret Thatcher had it right
with the quote about good intentions not being remembered. That of course
doesn’t mean all your beans have to be at one farm, there is still the ever
important portion of balancing your responsibilities. Another big topic in this
chapter is “it is okay to ask” for what you need (help, money, time).

{Network}
I think this is something that comes pretty naturally to me. I love people and
remember names and face quite well. I found the dig in your own backyard
thought very good – those are the people that recognize you and will trust you
quicker. Namestorming is a technique I used when selling 31 in San Antonio, very
important because you realize how deep your sphere of influence can run.

{Invite}Clarity
in your presentation: verbally and printed with DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS! Being
up to date on social media is key in any endeavor these days. This part is all about the relationships. You
build relationships with people who build a relationship and heart for the
project.

{Ask}
Be willing to risk your nose and toes J

{Work}
Be the hands and feet of Jesus, whether it is in the ask or in helping
encourage others doing the same that you are doing. Frustration with others is
inevitable but seek refuge in God and know that he will bring an encourager
along your side. Pray by name! Each donor is a specific name, face, story.
Proverbs 11:25

{Thank}Thank
your donors THANK THEM THANK THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Call top 100 list- make a script
JQuestion on leave a message front: being the receptionist
I get calls daily from people who are upset that they received a call from our
number and do not know for whom to ask: I would probably say
that you could leave a message – am I wrong? How do you publically
recognizing our large donors? Realizing that thank you has an expiration
date.

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about me

Anastasia {name pronounced: Honest Asia} was born and raised in Texas but is open to moving anywhere in the world to serve the Lord with her husband in family ministry. Has a longing for reading, serving others and trying new things {and blogging about them.} Can be found wearing funky socks, rocking a messy bun and drinking hot tea.